Being from the UK — the righteous home of “footy” — it’s both strange and pleasing to see how soccer (I’m truly sorry everyone back home) has taken off Stateside. I’ve always been a bit skeptical about how much of it is true fandom and how much is ironic just-to-be-different indulgence, but I’ve mostly seen the former while I’ve been over here in NYC, especially during the USA’s thrilling 86th minute victory over Ghana in their opening World Cup game on Monday. Although I was asked by one girl if “FIFA” is what we call soccer in Europe, so you’re not in the clear just yet, America.

Anyway, having been recently appointed Music Director for the Men’s National Team’s 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign, Lupe Fiasco got fans riled up for the USA vs. Ghana game in his hometown of Chicago earlier this week. The Windy City MC performed a seven-song set in front of 5,000 fans at a special viewing party in south Grant Park on Monday. Meanwhile, graffiti legend Futura (who was named Art Director for the Team USA campaign) was to the right of the stage creating a special piece of artwork inspired by the World Cup fever.